“Diaspora Jews concerned for Israel’s welfare’
Have the obligation to state their views, and if
Necessary, criticize Israeli policies.” Morton Klein

The Great Diaspora Dilemma: To Criticize Or Not To Criticize
By Morton Klein

(As printed in The Jewish Tribune)

PHILADELPHIA — Some argue that Diaspora Jews may debate and criticize a range of Israeli policies — social, domestic issues, economic policy, and so on – but not manners of life-and-death, like nationÃ‚Â­al security and defense policies.

The reason usually given for this stance is that only Israelis directly reap the benefits, or pay the price, of Israeli life-and-death decisions and that, therefore, only Israelis should debate them pubÃ‚Â­licly. But this conclusion does not follow from the premise.

It is perfectly true than Israelis alone have the right and obligation to decide what Israel should do in life-and-death questions of national security and defense. That is as it should be, and indeed, we would strongly oppose anyone other than Israelis deciding Israelâ€™s future. But this does not mean that Diaspora Jews cannot contribute by debate and criticism to the evolution of those deciÃ‚Â­sions that Israel takes. On the contrary the onus is upon those who disagree to explain why Diaspora Jews, on matters of vital importance to the future of Israel and thus the Jewish people, should sudÃ‚Â­denly be struck dumb.

Jews, like others, criticize the governments of other states for their internal and external polities all the time like Egypt, Russia and France. Why would Jews, therefore, be silent on the country that matters so much to them –Israel?

Those who make the argument opposing DiaspoÃ‚Â­ra criticism of Israel usually assert that the proper role of Diaspora Jews is to be partners with Israelis by providing political, moral and material support to Israel and the development of the counÃ‚Â­try. We agree, but if this is so, is it not absurd and unrealistic to then demand that, as soon as a vital matter of Israelâ€™s future security and even exisÃ‚Â­tence arises, Diaspora Jews keep out of the discussion?

Realistically, which Diaspora Jews — genuinely committed to Israelâ€™s future welfare — would exempt themselves from discussion or criticism on a vital issue of the day, if they believed they had something important to say? In this context, it is noteworthy that Israeli political leaders of different hues have stated that the Diaspora should be heard on vital matters.

What exactly are opponents of Diaspora Jewish criticism of Israel on vital issues trying to achieve? If they had their way, they would simply preclude a hearing of all Diaspora Jews, the views of those motivated by love of Israel no less than those who detest Israel.

It is perfectly true that some Jewish criticism of Israel on vital issues comes from those motivated by hatred or unease with Jewish national indeÃ‚Â­pendence. Such people, however, will never be induced to abstain from making their hostile critiÃ‚Â­cism for obvious reasons. It is also true that some criticism of Israel from non-hostile, well-meaning left-of-centre Diaspora Jews adds to pressures upon Israel to make concessions, thus weakening Israelâ€™s negotiating position. Additionally, it adds to hostile international perceptions of Israel because even Jews are seen to be urging Israel to make various concessions. For this reason, we would argue that such left-of-centre critics should display great care and circumspection in making public their views.

None of these considerations apply to Diaspora Jews who criticize Israel on life-and-death issues from a right-of-centre position, for example, those who, like the Zionist Organization of America, opposed the Oslo process or oppose now unilaterÃ‚Â­al concessions to the Palestinian Authority. Such criticism, by exposing the hostile nature of Israelâ€™s enemies; by publicizing the perils Israel faces and how these unilateral concessions worsen them; and by indicating that any Israeli concessions canÃ‚Â­not be made lightly and might mortally endanger Israel, can only strengthen Israelâ€™s negotiating position and international understanding for Israel. When Israel is under international pressure to make concessions and there is significant JewÃ‚Â­ish right-of-centre opposition to it, Israel can point to such opposition, which strengthens Israelâ€™s negotiation position and helps it stand firm against such pressures.

Why should such Diaspora Jewish criticism not be heard and perhaps heeded? How would Israel benefit from being deprived of such criticism? On the contrary, perhaps if more Diaspora Jewish leaders spoke out in opposition to certain policies — like negotiating with and giving land to Arafat or withdrawing unilaterally from Gaza — a groundswell of opinion might have induced the Israeli government to reconsider these actions that have brought only tragedy and bloodshed to Israel. I personally know several Jewish leaders who opposed these policies but who decided not to speak out because the Israeli government had chosen to pursue these policies.

Imagine if Diaspora Jewish leaders had publicly opposed Moshe Dayanâ€™s decision after the 1967 war to hand over control of the Temple Mount to Muslim authorities. Much tragedy, including riots and bloodshed, the destruction of Jewish heritage beneath the Mount in recent yearsâ€¦ could have been prevented.

I repeat: Only Israelis can and should decide the future direction of the country. My point is differÃ‚Â­ent. God gave Israel to all the Jewish people, not only those who reside within it. It is that Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and whatever Israelis may in the end decide, Diaspora Jews conÃ‚Â­cerned for Israelâ€™s welfare have not only the right, but the obligation, to state their views, and if necÃ‚Â­essary, criticize Israeli policies.

Morton A. Klein is national president of the Zionist Organization of America.

This entry was posted
on Thursday, May 31st, 2007 and is filed under opinion.